July 22-23, 2020

Interest, Reading, and General Session Descriptions

General Session “A Conversation with Arreon A. Harley-Emerson and Penelope Cruz” ACDA Diversity Initiatives Standing Committee

Interest Session"Is There an APP for that? Acquiring, Preparing, and Presenting Global Music for Your Choir"Dr. Angela Broeker, Western Washington UniversityThis session will describe approaches to finding, studying, and teaching diverse choral music to choirs. General principles will be given as participants explore a piece of diverse music suitable to choirs of all ages.

Interest Session“Beginning Vocal Jazz” – Natalie Wilson, Grass Valley Elementary SchoolFor beginning jazz concepts or for young choirs, this session will guide participants to understand the importance of teaching vocal jazz as American cultural music. With specific ways to approach literature, improvisation, listening, and the dreaded rhythm section, participants will leave this session encouraged, understanding the why, and feeling like “I canand should do this!”

Interest Session“Musicians of Color” - Kassey Castro, Foster High School Calling all musicians of color! Come connect with other POC members of Washington ACDA to collaborate, commiserate, and create camaraderie. We ask that non-POC members please show support by refraining from attending this session.

Interest Session“Building Connection in Quarantine with Church and Community-Based Choirs”Dr. David Gardner, University Presbyterian ChurchFor many of our singers, choir is like family. How can we continue to foster and build the relationships that make choir so important in members’ lives even while we can’t sing together? Join us for a discussion to hear what’s worked for others, and to share what’s worked for you.

Interest Session“Q&A Session: Producing Virtual Choir Performances” – Jason Saunders, Graham-Kapowsin High SchoolThis Q&A session will cover different components of creating virtual choir performances. The primary focus will be audio editing. Collecting recordings, video editing, and ideas for guiding singers through the process will also be discussed. A prerecorded video tutorial will be uploaded to the Washington ACDA website prior to the Summer Institute; attendees should plan to view it before attending this session! Prerequisites: basic understanding of audio and video editing concepts and software. (Logic Pro X and Final Cut Pro will be used for this session, but the concepts can be applied to other software.)

General Session “Building Choral Community in a Virtual World”Jeff Horenstein, Meadowdale High SchoolStacy Brown, Washington Middle SchoolDrew Olson, Colbert ElementaryPanel will discuss making meaningful connections to music and to each other while physically distanced.

Interest Session“Programming in the Digital World: Thoughts on what Repertoire Works best for Online Presentations” Dr. Heather MacLaughlin Garbes, Mägi Ensemble Ailisa Newhall, Inglemoor High SchoolWith virtual choirs becoming an option for many ensembles, this session focuses on choosing music for those projects, including rhythms, entrances and diction considerations. 

Interest SessionLong Term Solutions for Short Term Problems – Monika Tabor, Lake Stevens High SchoolWhat to do when you don't know what to do.  This session will look at ways to complement your choir's educational outcomes with long term planning and solutions that will help you no matter the mode of teaching you find yourself in this coming fall.   Attendees will be given access to a web resource library of ideas shared.

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General Session Fourth Annual WA ACDA Summer Institute Choral Commissioning Project

I will be the gladdest thing Composed by Karen Thomas

Poetry by Edna St Vincent MillayI will be the gladdest thing Under the sun!I will touch a hundred flowers And not pick one.I will look at cliffs and clouds With quiet eyes, Watch the wind bow down the grass. And the grass rise. And when lights begin to show Up from the town,I will mark which must be mine.And then start down.

From the composer:I'm honored that Washington ACDA invited me to compose a new work for you and your students. This poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay expresses the unrivaled joy of spending time alone in nature and reveling in its beauty and inspiration.

READING SESSION PRESENTERSReading session materials will be available on the JW Pepper ePrintGo app.

Elementary and Community Youth Dr. Angela Broeker Mixed Secular Advanced Dr. Jacob Funk and Joel Karn Middle School Stacy Brown Music in Worship Dr. Michael Austin Miller Mixed Secular Easy/Moderate Jason Saunders Soprano/Alto Haley IssacsTenor/Bass Dr. Nicole LamartineJazz Dave Cazier College/University Dr. Kraig Scott and Dr. Jacob Funk (College/University will run concurrently with the reading sessions #1 and #2)